CONTROL OF SIDESHOWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 21

CONTROL OF SIDESHOWS

LICENSING PROPOSAL ADOPTED AVOIDING REPETITION OF ‘ TROUBLES (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 3. The difficulties of licensing showmen, and the necessity for excluding undesirable characters were discussed at the annual conference of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations in the Auckland province w'hich was held to-day. The chairman, Mr S. Austin Carr, presided. The discussion arose when a remit was moved by Mr C. S. Leggett that there should be only one authority with power to issue licences to showmen, namely, the Royal Agricultural Society, that licenses should be granted only to persons approved by the police, and that a list of licences should be made available to a}l affiliated associations and to the police. Mr Leggett stated that side-show-men had caused a great deal of trouble, particularly at smaller shows. The opinion that the assistance of the police was not necessary was expressed by Mr W. F. O’Donnell. Legislative provision had been made for the proper handling of sideshows. The movements of overseas side-show proprietors throughout New Zealand were described by Mr O’Donnell. He said that_ there was a big influx from Australia and America in October, and showmen travelled from one show to another until they left for Sydney at Easter. The smaller men preferred to spend the winter at Auckland and begin travelling again about September. He suggested that the police should not have power to veto a showman’s licence. The remit, with the addition that the Royal Society should be assisted by the metropolitan associations. was then carried.